SAAC-31 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Never been to a SAAC convention before? You’re in for a real treat. To make the event even more enjoyable we’ve put together this list of most commonly asked questions by first-timers. We’ve held 30 national conventions prior to this one, and everyone was a first-timer at some point. Don’t be bashful — we’re all here for the same purpose: to have fun and enjoy these cars. You will find SAAC members especially friendly. Think of it as a giant family picnic.... with lots of horsepower.
Do you have to be a SAAC member to enter a car in the car shows? Only in the judged concours. There is no membership requirement or entry fee to participate in Hi-Performance Motors or the Shine ‘N Show. We will have a special, supervised parking area for cars in both of these shows and we invite owners to park there all weekend. On Saturday afternoon all cars in the Hi-Performance Motors will be reviewed by a judging team which will make awards to cars that are stand-outs. On Sunday morning a different judging team will make awards to recognize some of the cars in the Shine ‘N Show.
Do you have to be a SAAC member to drive in the open-track event? Yes. However it is possible to join the national club at the convention (annual dues are $47.00). Don’t get your hopes up, though. Most of the open track spots are filled by those who have pre-registered. Occasionally there are last minute cancellations and these openings are filled at Tech Inspection, first come / first served. If you want to drive, you’ll have to attend the driver’s meeting at 9:00 am (in the Timing Tower). Ask someone at Tech if any spaces are available. If they are, you can pay on the spot. Then attend the Driver’s Meeting, and then get your car through tech right after the Driver’s Meeting. All cars must be Ford powered and must pass a strict technical inspection. In some cases the technical requirements are very specific (roll bars for all convertibles, dual throttle return springs, radiator coolant overflow catch can, Snell SA 2000 or newer rated helmet) so for this reason we strongly suggest pre-registration. Driving on a race track at high speeds is something that should be planned for in advance — not to satisfy some spur-of-the-moment urge. Most would-be drivers who decide to participate at the last minute can’t get their cars through tech inspection. You need to plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
Can I just drive my car around the track for a few laps? Yes. Each day when we break for lunch we open the track to anyone who would like to take a few Parade Laps. You do not have to be a SAAC member. We charge each car $10 for 5 laps. This helps defray the cost of track rental. All cars will be limited to 50 mph (we will have several pace cars leading groups). Passengers (including kids) are allowed. Helmets are not required.
Can anyone attend the dinner and evening program? Yes. Dinner tickets are sold in advance but if any are available by convention time you can get them at SAAC registration at the track entrance. We give the banquet facility an exact number of the dinners we will require in advance, and tickets are usually sold out by the morning of the dinner so we can’t make any promises. We do occasionally we get last minute cancellations. Check at registration.
If Saturday evening dinner tickets are not available, can I still attend the program? Of course you can. Dinner tickets are collected as each person enters the dining area. Once the meal is over and the tables are cleared the program will begin. At that time anyone can get a seat. We expect the program of guest speakers to begin about 8:30 pm and run until 10:30 pm.
What can I expect when I attend the convention, beyond seeing all the cars? The SAAC national convention is a perfect place to do some first-person research. There are usually a good selection of parts for sale at the swap meet, and this provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate or confirm prices (whether you are buying or just wondering what something you have or need might be worth). Many of the Shelby parts suppliers who advertise in national publications are there. You can talk to them and also compare parts side by side. If the part you are looking for isn’t there, chances are you can turn up a lead on where to find it. The emergence of ebay has caused convention parts swaps to get a little smaller, but there’s still nothing like holding a part in your hands and looking at it before you buy it.
Beginning a restoration project? You can look at a wide variety of cars, comparing them for details and examining production deviations. Talking to their owners will provide information that is simply not obtainable through books or video tapes. You can also take pictures or videos of your own, capturing specific details which then become invaluable aids in restoring your car when you get back home. You will be able to talk to owners and get references for people and businesses who did the bodywork, paint, mechanical work or detailing on the cars. In many cases those people will also be there, and if they are you can talk to them in person. You can see examples of their work and then make your own judgements. You’ll also be able to pick people’s brains for restoration tips, car care methods and individual automotive products. Concours judges will be there and nobody knows the intricate details of these cars better than they do. They are always happy to share their knowledge. You will be able to find an answer for any question you can think of.
Buying a car? A national convention is an excellent place to buy a car. There will probably be at least one of the year and model you are interested in for sale right there — and usually a lot more than one. Instead of answering individual classified ads and then traveling long distances to look at one car at a time, you’ll be able to see several cars and compare them, side by side. You can also talk to owners of cars which are not for sale; they will be happy to provide you with their opinions as to condition, price and value of the cars which are. And you can compare the cars for sale with dozens of others just like them to help you determine if they are fairly priced. Just imagine going to a giant Shelby or Cobra dealership and spending three days on the lot.
Selling a car? The convention is the perfect place to expose it to a large number of potential buyers. A fair number of convention attendees show up looking to buy a car. It’s also not uncommon to find dealers selling cars. You can park your car in the special lot for either the Hi-Performance Motors show or the Shine ‘N Show and put a “For Sale” sign on the windshield and cross your fingers and hope the right person sees it. Most people leave a bunch of their business cards under the windshield wiper in case they’re not there when a prospective buyer is, or they leave a small sign saying that they will be back at the car at certain times throughout the day.
Friday Driving School is open to SAAC members only, or members of their family. There is a 60 student limit because it is very intensive. You use your own car. We’ll have a professional driving instructor who will cover car dynamics, car control, and how to drive this track. There will also be plenty of on-track “seat time” with an instructor leading you and riding with you.You’ll need a helmet with a “Snell 2000 SA” rating. or newer.
Friday Afternoon Shelby Literature & Memorabilia Auction. Club members will be invited to bring items which will be auctioned off. Most of them will be of high value or extreme rare; we’re not interested in wasting everyone’s time with trinkets like decals, key chains, pins or “Hot Wheels.” All items must be paid for in cash, on the spot, with the buyer paying a 10% commission to the club.
When are the race cars on the track? The vintage race cars – Cobras, GT40s, GT350s and Trans-Am Mustangs will be practicing on Saturday from 9:30 am to 10:45 am and 2:10 pm to 3:25 pm. On Sunday there is a warm-up from 9:00 am to 10:05 am and the races (there will be 2) will be from 11:10 am to 12:25 pm.
Where can I go once I’m inside the track? The short answer is anywhere that is safe. VIR is a park-like setting and you can view the track from just about anywhere inside of it. Bleachers are placed in good viewing areas. There is an excellent snack bar in the paddock as well as modern rest room facilities in several locations. This is a very spectator-friendly track. Your convention registration allows you access to just about everywhere.
Do I have to sign up in advance for a space at the swap meet? No. All spaces are parceled out on a first-come, first-served basis. You don’t have to be a SAAC member, either. Spaces cost $10 per frontage foot for all 3 days — Friday, Saturday and Sunday – payable on Friday after you set up. Swap space cost is in addition to the registration fee each individual pays to enter the track.
Can I get Carroll Shelby’s autograph? Mr. Shelby has said that he plans to attend this year’s convention and he usually makes himself available to sign autographs while he is there. The trouble is, we never know when or where - and usually neither does he until he gets there. Shelby American will have a large tractor trailer in the paddock area. Just ask someone with him. They will know.
What about camping? VIR allows overnight camping inside the track. You will have to make arrangements directly with the track regarding electrical and water or sanitation hook-ups for campers. Contact the track directly at 434-822-7700 and tell them you will be attending the SAAC convention June 30-July 1-2. There will be a weekend camping fee payable to the track when you arrive.
What will it cost to attend? Convention registration is $25 per person per day. Kids 15 and under are free. You can register in advance or when you arrive; the price is the same. There is no additional charge to enter your car in the car show on Saturday (Hi-Performance Motors) or Sunday (Shine ‘N Show). Supervised parking in these show areas will be available all weekend. Actual judging will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday and 10:30 am on Sunday.
Vehicle Restrictions. The only non-automotive vehicles allowed inside the track are golf carts. No 3 or 4-wheel ATVs, motorized scooters, roller blades, skateboards, unregistered dirt bikes or bicycles. One reason is due to the track’s policy based on insurance restrictions. Another is SAAC’s policy to provide a safe environment to people bringing very expensive cars to this event. They should not have to worry about a 10 year-old riding a bicycle into their Cobra, crashing an ATV into their Shelby or falling off their rollerblades into the path of an oncoming race car in the paddock. Golf carts will be available to rent. Please leave everything else home.
What about pets? Our advice is, don’t bring them. The track discourages pets (but stops short of forbidding them). They must be on a leash and owners are expected to clean up after them. Pets are not allowed onto the false grid or pit areas, concession area or in buildings. If you are a pet owner you have to know that their ears are very sensitive and you are not doing your pet any favors by exposing them to the unmuffled engine noise at the track.